Nutrition knowledge as a determinant of rehabilitation efficacy in sport-related injuries

Abstract

Background: Sports-related injuries pose a significant health and economic challenge globally, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) being no exception. The role of nutrition knowledge (NK) in both sports performance and injury management is paramount. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the levels of nutritional knowledge and explore the factors influencing it among injured athletes in the KSA, in order to determine the relationship between nutritional knowledge and the probability of injury recurrence. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in five regions (North, Central, South, East, and West) of the KSA between December 2023 and March 2024. An online survey was utilized to collect data, with invitations to participate being distributed to rehabilitation centers and hospitals across various regions of Saudi Arabia. Results: The survey assessed NK levels and explored determinants of NK among injured athletes in Saudi Arabia. A total of 125 participants, comprising 96 men and 29 women, completed a self-reported structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that a considerable proportion of injured athletes exhibited a poor understanding of NK, with 68.8% achieving scores within the poor knowledge range. Furthermore, the study identified significant disparities in knowledge levels based on educational level (P = 0.001). In addition, a strong correlation was reported between good NK and a reduced likelihood of recurring injuries (P = 0.039). Conclusion: These results highlight the need for targeted nutrition education to enhance injured athletes’ rehabilitation and well-being. Addressing the poor knowledge of nutrition is therefore crucial in optimizing the recovery and performance outcomes of injured athletes in Saudi Arabia.